Two decades of economic stagnation and revolving political leadership in Japan has given way to the longest period of political stability since World War II.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's victory Thursday in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election has allowed him to consolidate his position as the uncontested political leader of the ruling party and permits him to stay in power until 2021.
That political stability will be needed to deal with the numerous areas of instability in the international system today.